Metal plank



y 6, 1954 Y A. s. MACDONALD $682,938

METAL PLANK Filed Nov. 23, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 INVENTOR. 6 A NE us 5NE'A D MA EDUNALD Patented July 6, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT I OFFICE METAL PLANK Angus S. Macdonald, near Rapidan, Va., assignor to The Globe-Wernicke 00., a corporation of Ohio This invention relates to improvements in metal planks of the character used in building construction to provide a building unit therefor, either for partitions, inside or outside building walls, panels, floors, roofs, or other parts of the building.

In the construction of buildings, it has been the practice generally heretofore to form the wall or floor units of studding or sills with plaster or wood covering applied thereover, in a fabricated structure. Some attempts have been made to provide panel units, especially for pre-fabricated buildings, but these have not been entirely satisfactory, because of the considerable weight that is objectionable in transportation and handling, or the complexity of structure that renders the units expensive to manufacture and use. Furthermore, such panels usually have required nailing or other fastenings at the joints thereof, which did not facilitate the assembly and connection of the panel units in a simple and expeditious manner.

One object of this invention is to improve the construction of a building unit or plank to provide a sturdy and rigid construction which is, nevertheless, of light weight, that is adaptable to various finishes for an attractive appearance and yet is very practical to use because of its supporting qualities, as well as its insulating efiect against heat or cold.

In accomplishing this object, I prefer to construct the plank or building unit with spaced walls joined together to provide an enclosure which will serve not only as a dead air space, but may receive therein insulating material that will insulate effectively the plank or building unit against the passage ther-ethrough of heat or cold. Moreover, the construction, preferably of metal, also interconnects the side walls thereof, but without the direct transfer of heat through conduction along the plank or unit from one side wall to the other, thus further increasing the insulating effect of the unit. The side walls, being formed of sheet-metal 'on supporting or backing insulation, are capable of decoration to any desired extent without requiring the use of plaster or other supporting material for the decorating efi'ect.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of the joint between adjacent planks or building units, whereby these may be 7 In constructing the plank or building unit of sheet-metal, provision may be made at the edges thereof for the interfitting of the adjacent planks in a simple and effective manner through a resilient connection between the edges that will make a tight joint, even without the necessity for the use of separate fastenings. This is made possible by providing spring connections and interfitting sockets on the respective oppositeedges of the planks, whereby a spring tongue on one edge of one plank will interfit with a socket onv the adjacent edge of the next adjacent plank. These tongues and sockets are provided preferably on both opposite sides of each plank, whereby the tongues on one plank will embrace the edge portion of the adjacent plank and hold it securely, that will be efiective to provide a tight joint, but without the necessity for the use of fastenings therebetween.

The sheet metal side walls are secured on insulating panels which back up the relatively thin sheet metal to form relatively rigid opposite side walls of the board. The insulating panels are spaced apart by wooden braces or strips or other non-conducting material, to prevent through metal contact and to provide for heat insulation as well as structural members.

The invention is illustrated in certain embodiments thereof, in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a plank made in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the end construction of the planks;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a wall formed by an assembly of planks;

Fig. 4 is a cross section therethrough on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical section therethrough on the line 5--5 in Fig. 2.

While the invention may be used in many different applications in building construction, such as for walls, floor, ceilings, and other parts thereof, it is described more particularly as applied to a wall construction merely for purpose of illustration and because its more immediate application appears to be in the construction of walls of pre-fabricated buildings, and especially movable interior walls or partitions.

A wall will be formed preferably of a plurality of upright planks arranged in edge-to-edge relation, as shown in Fig. 3, in which adjacent planks are designated generally at l and 2, and succeeding planks at 3 for the corners and short planks at 4 under or over windows or doors. These planks may be constructed, respectively,

according to this invention, and interconnected in edge-to-edge relation to form the desired wall or other part of the building. For a wall, the planks extend preferably throughout the height of the wall, usually of one story height from floor to ceiling, although it is possible to construct them so that they will extend to a height of two or more stories, if that should be desired.

Where the planks are used in pre-fabricated buildings and the length is to be that of one story, these may be constructed of selected lengths which will vary ordinarily from seven feet to ten feet, according to the height of the building story and the use thereof, as for outside or inside walls. For most prefabricated buildings, a width of twelve inches is preferred, because of its adaptability to fitting in different building plans. For these dimensions, a thickness of about three inches has been found practical for manufacture. These dimensions are given, however, merely for purpose of illustration of a construction that is adaptable for factory manufacture weight, resistance to corrosion, and adaptability to be fabricated, as well as having a stiff springiness that will facilitate the connection of the planks at the joints therebetween, as hereinafter described.

Each of the plank sections has opposite side walls, as indicated at and 6, respectively, which walls extend substantially parallel in spaced relation and may be corrugated, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, or plane, whichever is desired, according to the use and ornamental eifect to be obtained. Skin corrugation of very shallow depth (greatly exaggerated in the drawings) stiffens the metal and increases the overall depth. It also breaks up the surface as to light reflection and gives a better appearance to the sheet.

The wall section 5 has inturned end sections l and 8, projecting inwardly from the opposite end portions of the wall. The wall 6 has corresponding inturned end sections 9 and [0, substantially in transverse alignment with the end sections 1 and 8, respectively.

The wall sections 5 and 6 are applied over relatively thick panels I l of heat insulating material to brace the metal sheets and hold them securely in place. The metal sheets preferably are glued to the panels II over the surface thereof, the shallowly corrugated metal sheets aiding materially in the holding action of the glue therebetween by permitting elasticity in adjusting for difierential expansion and contraction. Any suitable or desired adhesive may be used, or these sheets may be secured together by other suitable fastening means, such as nails, rivets, etc.

The panels [I are supported and spaced by edge strips l2 and intermediate strips [3, in the form illustrated, which strips preferably are of wood to act as sound and heat insulators as well as structural members. These strips I 2 and [3 may be secured in any suitable way, as by nailing to the panels ll during the fabrication of the board. Any other form of structural supports may be used in the board as desired.

The inturned end sections 'L-IO overlap the strips [2, as shown in Fig. 1, and are secured thereto in any suitable way, as by nails [4. The inner edges of the respective end sections preferably are spaced apart to prevent through-metal contact from side to side of the board, being separated by the insulating effect of the strips 52.

To provide for an interfitting joint between the boards or building units, I have provided a yieldable interlocking connection therebetween at the respective opposite sides of each board. One end portion of each of the metal sheets 5 and 6 is turned inwardly from the side face of the plank at approximately right angles over the edge of the adjacent panel II to form a shoulder l5. A portion [6 of each sheet extends beyond the shoulder 15 and together with the shoulder [5 forms a recess. The inwardly extending end sections 8 and Ill connect the portions 16 to the adjacent strip IE to complete one edge of the plank.

The opposite end portion of each of the metal sheets 5 and 6 extends outwardly beyond the edge of the adjacent panel II, is turned inwardly at approximately right angles from the side face of the plank to form an abutment surface [1, and is turned back upon itself at an acute angle to form an inwardl facing surface IT. The inwardly extending end sections 1 and 9 connect the portions IT to the adjacent strip I2 to complete the other edge of the plank. The tongues formed by bending the sheets as described are transversely yieldable, being hollow as shown in Fig. 1. The sheets are of a hard alloy to provide a stiff springiness in the tongues without cracking of the metal in the bending of the sheets to provide the extended tongues.

The recesses 15-16 are substantially complementary to the portions of the spring tongues formed by the abutment surfaces I? and the inwardly facing surfaces IT, as will be evident from Fi 2, so as to provide for an interlocking connection between adjacent planks with an effective tight joint therebetween.

Furthermore, this joint may be closed and the parts fitted together merely by pressing one board edgewise against the other, the spring action of the tongues allowing them to yield laterally and snap into the recesses I5I6, which will facilitate the assembly, enabling the building structure to be set up very quickly and without requiring any fastenings between the boards.

The planks I and 2 are assembled, for instance, by engaging the tongue at one edge of the plank 2 in the recesses l5l6 of the adjacent edge of the plank l, and then swinging the planks into transverse alignment. In thus swinging the planks into place, a wedging action is exerted at the joint, whereby the planks snap into place and are held effectively in their assembled relation. Another method of assembling the planks is to interengage them in direct alignment at one end, as, for instance, at the upper corner, and then swing the other end of the plank into place but directly in alignment, so that a similar wedging action is exerted.

As shown in Fig. 4, the corner boards or structural members designated 3, are constructed in lik manner to the members I and 2, described above, except that the panels H are in sections at an angle to each other. Intermediate strips I3 are secured between the spaced insulating panels I I on the respective opposite sides of the corner. The outer edges of the corner board or structural member are constructed in like manner to the boards I and 2, described above, having yieldable tongues at one edge and grooves at the opposite edge thereof, which parts are designated by the corresponding numerals.

The board or structural members i are shortened, so as to extend only between windows I8 or a door [9, and the adjacent ceiling or floor, as shown in Fig. 3, but otherwise are constructed in a manner similar to that described above.

In th assembling of the boards or sections to form a wall orpanel, these may be mounted as shown generally in Fig. 5. A base strip 26 is secured to the floor or foundation as by nailing or other suitable fastenings, upon which is supported a second strip 2|, in edgewise relation with respect to the base strip 20, which strip 2! fits in the notched end of the boards I. Clips 22 are secured by fastenings 23 to opposite sides of the strip 2| and have upturned upper and lower edges 24 and 25, respectively, in position to receive thereon the channel edges of the molding strip '26. These molding strips may be applied and secured in place by frictional engagement with the upturned edges 24 and 25, to provide the base covering for the lower edges of the boards l-4.

At their upper edges the boards are mounted on i the ceiling, generally designated at 21 in Fig. 5, by a ceiling strip 28 secured to the ceiling and enclosed by a cap plate 29. The cap plate 29 has channels 30 at opposite edges thereof on opposite sides of the strip 28 in positions to receive slidably and frictionally therein the upper edges of molding strips 31. The lower edges of the molding strips 3| are fitted into channels 32 formed on a cap plate 33 that extends along the upper edges of the boards and confines said upper edges, as shown in Fig. 5. At intervals along the wall or partition, jack posts 34 may be provided, engaging in the ceiling strip 28 and extending downwardly therefrom into the boards or panels to anchor these transversely, as shown in the drawings.

The spaces provided inwardly 0f the molding strips 26 and 3| may be used for electrical conduits, as shown, or for other purposes as desired. It will be evident that access may be obtained thereto merely by slipping upward the respective molding strips and slipping these out of their frictional engagement with the brackets.

While I have shown the boards or panels formed either in flat or angular shape, as illustrated in Fig. 4, it is evident that other angular shapes may be provided, if desired, as, for instance, a three-way panel formed substantially of T-shape in which the insulating panels and metal sides will extend to opposite sides of the center section. Such shapes may be used for joining angular walls or panels, as desired.

The insulating panels II or 31, preferably are formed of relatively thick light Weight material, as variously made for insulating or wall board or even for fiber board. A product of the character sold under the trade-mark Celotex, has been "6 along one edge of the plank at approximately right angles from the side wall to form an abutment surface and then turned back upon itself at an acute angle to form an inwardly facing surface and thence turned inwardly again to form an elongated, transversely yieldable, hollow, spring tongue, the opposite edge portion of each sheet being turned inwardly at approximately right angles from the side wall to form a shoulder and then extended beyond the shoulder at an acute angle with the shoulder to form with the shoulder a recess and thence turned inwardly said recesses being substantially complementary to the portions of the spring tongues formed by the abutment surfaces and the inwardly facing surfaces thereof for spring engagement by spring tongues of an adjacent like plank therewith upon relative swinging motion thereof for yieldably retaining the spring tongues of said adjacent plank therein, and means connecting said sheets together.

2. A structural joint comprising a pair of metal side Wall planks arranged in edge-to-edge interconnected relation, each of said planks comprising opposite, parallel side walls of elongated flexible metallic sheets, each of the sheets of one plank being turned inwardly along one edge of the plank at approximately right angles from the side wall to form an abutment surface and then turned back upon itself at an acute angle to form an inwardly facing surface and thence turned inwardly again to form an elongated, transversely yieldable, hollow, spring tongue, the adjacent edge portion of the other plank having each side wall sheet thereof turned inwardly at approximately right angles from the side wall to form a shoulder and then extended beyond the shoulder at an acute angle with the shoulder to form with the shoulder a recess and thence turned inwardly again, said recesses being substantially complementary to the portions of the spring tongues of the first-mentioned interconnected plank formed by the abutment surfaces and the infound very suitable for the purpose, although as wardly facing surfaces thereof and having spring engagement therewith upon relative swinging motion thereof for yieldably retaining the spring tongues of said first-mentioned plank therein,

and means connecting said sheets of each plank together.

3. A metal side wall plank comprising opposite parallel side walls of elongated flexible metallic sheets entirely spaced apart from each other, each of the sheets being turned inwardly along one edge of the plank at approximately right angles from the side wall to form an abutment surface and then turned back upon itself at an acute angle to form an inwardly facing surface and thence turned inwardly again to form an elongated, transversely yieldable, hollow, spring tongue, the opposite edge portion of each sheet being turned inwardly at approximately right angles from the side wall to form a shoulder and then extended beyond the shoulder at an acute angle with the shoulder to form with the shoulder a recess and thence turned inwardly again, said recesses being substantially complementary to the portions of the spring tongues formed by the abutment surfaces and the inwardly facing surfaces thereof for spring engagement by spring tongues of an adjacent like plank therewith upon relative swinging motion thereof for yieldably retaining the spring tongues of said adjacent plank therein, and insulating means connecting said sheets together.

4. A metal side wall plank comprising spaced, parallel side panels of heat insulating material,

edge strips of heat insulating material extending lengthwise of the plank at the opposite edges thereof and interposed between and secured to the opposite edges of said side panels, one of said edge strips having the outer face thereof substantially in transverse alignment with the adjacent edges of the side panels, the opposite edge strip projecting outwardly beyond the adjacent outer edges of the side panels, walls of elongated flexible metallic sheets secured to and extending over the outer faces of said side panels and being entirely spaced apart from each other, each of the sheets projecting outwardly beyond the outer face of the first-mentioned edge strip and then being turned inwardly at approximately right angles from the side wall to form an abutment surface and then being turned back upon itself at an acute angle to form an inwardly facing surface and thence being turned inwardly again to form an elongated, transversely yieldable, hollow, spring tongue, the opposite edge portion of each sheet being turned inwardly at approximately right angles over the edge of the adjacent side panel to form a shoulder and then extended beyond the shoulder at an acute angle with the shoulder to form with the shoulder a recess and then turned inwardly again along the outer face 8 of the second-mentioned edge strip, said recesses being substantially complementary to the portions of the spring tongues formed by the abutment surfaces and the inwardly facing surfaces thereof for spring engagement by spring tongues of an adjacent like plank therewith upon relative swinging motion thereof for yieldably retaining the spring tongues of said adjacent plank therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 514,233 Kubach Feb. 6, 1894 764,219 Volp July 5, 1904 866,481 Kiesel, Jr Sept. 17, 1907 984,541 Coleman Feb. 21, 1911 1,549,290 Broady Aug. 11, 1925 1,630,857 IvIeyercord May 31, 1927 2,009,056 Schaffert July 23, 1935 2,054,694 Eldredge Sept. 15, 1936 2,071,666 Sylvan Feb. 23, 1937 2,142,388 Wallace Jan. 3, 1939 2,175,579 Stratton Oct. 10, 1939 2,231,216 Nystrom Feb. 11, 1941 2,482,592 Miller et a1 Sept. 20, 1949 2,495,862 Osborn Jan.'31, 1950 

